How Often Does a Septic Tank Need to Be Emptied?

In rural areas, most homes have a septic system. While these systems are very basic in design and normally reliable, there are maintenance issues which must be addressed. The primary area of maintenance is the cleaning/emptying of the septic tank itself.

Diagram Your System

When you build your home, or when you have a new septic system installed, make a detailed diagram of the system. As sure as you are now that you will never forget where the septic tank is, or which way the field lines run, you should still document this information, just in case.

Inspect Your System

Inspect your system on a regular basis. Septic tanks are equipped with a hatch on the top and many have a special opening for inspections. Don't measure the water in the tank, but the amount of scum or sludge that has accumulated at the bottom of the tank.

When To Empty

Measure the overall height of your tank, then the depth of the scum/sludge in the bottom of the tank. If the sludge fills more than 35 percent of the tank it is time to have the tank emptied. You should expect to have the tank emptied every 3 to 5 years, depending on the size of your household.

Signs Of Problems

There are warning signs that will indicate the tank needs to be emptied. These include wet spots or surfacing sewage near the field lines, sewage odors in your home or slow drains.

Costs

How much you are charged depends on a variety of factors like where you live, how large your tank is and how much sludge they remove. You are looking at a low price of $150 up to a high of $500.